Two of The University of Queensland’s (UQ’s) brightest agricultural minds have been awarded the prestigious Bell and Bryan medals for their research on the Buffalo fly in cattle and on leaf miner pests.
The medals, presented by The Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST), commemorate two of Queensland’s most influential agricultural figures Dr W. W. Bryan and Arthur F. Bell.
The awards are presented to Agricultural Science and Applied Science students who show exceptional quality and insight through their research.
According to Dr Colin Birch, Director of Studies for UQ`s Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Science (NRAVS), the competition for the medals is strong with students of the highest quality competing for the honour.
“The research being undertaken by students has significant potential to benefit the agricultural industries and the environment,” Dr Birch said.
“This year’s winners, Jessica Mayes and Kevin Jackson are no exception, again displaying confidence and maturity in their research."
In thanking the AIAST for the honour, Mr Jackson said: “This medal will always represent a very special milestone in my career and life.”
Jessica Mayes, recipient of the A. F. Bell Medal for 2005, investigated Buffalo Fly numbers in dairy cattle, looking at condition, coat colour, weather conditions and nutritional diets through work completed at the DPI & F Mutdapilly Research Station.
Ms Mayes found weather conditions have less of an impact on fly numbers on an animal than other factors such as the proportion of black in the animal’s coat and nutrition and condition.
Kevin Jackson is the recipient of the W. W. Bryan Medal for his Bachelor of Applied Science Honours Project researching the leaf miner Leucoptera Hübner sp. Mr Jackson’s work is significant, describing a new but yet unnamed species of this leaf miner affecting the soap ash tree (Alphitonia excelsa).
“The Bell and Bryan Medals are a long standing tradition dating back to the 1950s when students were first awarded for their research excellence in this way,” Executive Committee member of the AIAST (Southern Qld Branch) David Lloyd said.
“Each year we are extremely impressed by student research investigating a wide variety of topics including the economic analysis of land management, molecular genetic research in grain sorghum and sunflower, seed dormancy of native trees and shrubs used to rehabilitate mine sites, wastewater treatment, the breeding of ‘assassin’ bugs, and the work carried out by Ms Mayes and Mr Jackson.
"The AIAST looks forward to supporting these awards again in 2006,” he said.
The awards are administered and judged by scientists who are members of the AIAST, South East Queensland and Southern Queensland Branches.
They are based on the quality of written theses submitted by the students and an oral presentation made by them to a special meeting of the Institute branches. The medal winners were selected and presented with their awards at a ceremony at the University’s St Lucia Campus late last year.
Media inquiries: Susanne Schick - UQ Gatton Campus (5460 1229, 0409 265 587).
Further information/comment: Dr Colin Birch (0408 712 192) or David Lloyd (4688 1261 or david.lloyd@dpi.qld.gov.au)
